OBJECTIVETo observe different effects of moxibustion on extracellular potassium ion in acupoint under physiological and pathological status and provide experimental evidence for exploring action mechanism of moxibustion on acupoint local.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a blank-moxibustion group, a model group and a model-moxibustion group, 10 cases in each one. The complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) was adopted to establish model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the model group and model-moxibustion group. No treatment was given in the blank group and model group while moxibustion was applied at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) for 30 min in the blank-moxibustion group and model-moxibustion group. The tissue fluid in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was collected with microdialysis and real-time analyzed by electrolytic analyzer. The change of concentration of potassium ion in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was observed.

RESULTS(1) Under physiological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank group was not changed within 150 min (P > 0.05); before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank-moxibustion group was (1.21 +/- 0.31) mmol/L, and after treatment it was gradually increased and reached its peak at (2.38 +/- 0.42) mmol/L after 60 min (P < 0.05), then it was reduced. 150 min after the treatment, concentration of potassium ion was slightly higher than that before moxibustion as well as that in the blank group. The concentration in the blank-moxibustion group at 60 min was statistically significant compared with that in the blank group (P < 0.05). (2) Under pathological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the model group was not changed within 150 min, differences of which at each time point was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion was (1.09 +/- 0.12) mmol/L in the model-moxibustion group, and it was immediately increased to (1.96 +/- 0.18) mmol/L after moxibustion. 60 min and 90 min after the moxibustion, it still maintained a higher level, which was (1.87 +/- 0.29) mmol/L and (1.59 +/- 0.16) mmol/L respectively (both P < 0.05). The differences of each time point after moxibustion in the model-moxibustion group were statistically significant compared with those in the model group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion could increase the concentration of potassium ion in rat's acupoint local under physiological status but time of effect is short; with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) under pathological status, the concentration of local potassium ion is obviously increased and maintains for a long time.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore a new access for internal rigid fixation of mandibular mid-and-low condylar fracture.

METHODS16 patients of unilateral mid-and-low condylar fractures were treated with a 2cm mini-retromandibular approach. The subcutaneous tissues superficial to the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) were dissected forward that parallel to the masseter muscle fiber bundles, aiming to the fracture. After exposing the fracture, the fracture segments were reduced and fixed under sufficient exposure.

RESULTSCorrect anatomic reduction and occlusion were achieved in all cases. Additionally, all patients showed normal articular function and the surgical scars were barely visible.

CONCLUSIONThe transmasseter approach by retromandibular access is one of the feasible methods for curing mid-and-low condylar fracture, which minimizeing the risk of facial nerve injury and reducing the visible scars.

Adult ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mandibular Fractures ; Masseter Muscle ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice.

METHODSSixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

Animals ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between prehospital delay time (PDT) and other associated factors on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed factors associated with mortality in 580 patients with acute myocardial infarction presented to the Emergency Ward and Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2004 to March 2006 (428 males, average age: 60.7 +/- 12.9 years). The patients were divided to 3 groups according various therapies: thrombolysis, PCI/CABG or symptomatic medication groups.

RESULTSThe median PDT was 130 min. Thrombolysis, PCI/CABG and medical therapy were applied in 122 (21.0%), 266 (45.9%) and 192 (33.1%) patients respectively. PDT was significantly longer in patients receiving medical therapy (290.9 min +/- 3.4 min) compared to patients treated with thrombolysis (104.5 min +/- 2.3 min) and PCI/CABG (119.1 min +/- 2.3 min, all P < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 5.3% (31/580) and all occurred in patients with medical therapy group mostly due to irreversible ventricular fibrillations. Old age (OR = 1.047, P = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.159, P = 0.02) and PDT (OR = 2.159, P = 0.023) are independent predict factors for mortality.

CONCLUSIONCoronary Revascularisation by thrombolysis, PCI or CABG early post acute myocardial infarction is the key issue for reducing mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnostic Errors ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Patient Admission ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of a microfluidic sperm sorter on the routine parameters and DNA integrity of human sperm.

METHODSWe divided 40 semen samples into two aliquots and performed sperm sorting using a self-made polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic sperm sorter and the swim-up method, respectively. Then we evaluated and compared the effects of these two methods on the sperm routine parameters and DNA integrity by computer-assisted sperm analysis and sperm chromatin dispersion test.

RESULTSAfter processing, sperm motility, normal morphology and tail hypoosmotic swelling rate were significantly improved, while sperm DNA damage remarkably decreased (P < 0.01). The microfluidic sperm sorter achieved a significantly lower rate of sperm DNA damage than the swim-up method ([ 8.4 +/- 5.8 ]% vs [16.4 +/- 9.2] %, P < 0.01), but no statistically significant differences were found in all other parameters between the two methods.

CONCLUSIONHigh-quality sperm with less DNA integrity damage could be obtained in sperm sorting with the microfluidic sperm sorter.

Adult ; Cell Separation ; instrumentation ; methods ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Male ; Microfluidics ; Middle Aged ; Protein Array Analysis ; Semen Analysis ; instrumentation ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVETo investigate the functional relations between the putative proteins YpCD1.08, YpCD1.09, YpCD1.16 encoded in pCD1 plasmid of Yersinia pestis and its type III secretion system (T3SS).

METHODSMutants of YpCD1.08, YpCD1.09, YpCD1.16 were constructed using λ-Red recombinant system. The growth curves of the mutant strains cultivated in TMH medium with or without calcium at 26 °C and 37 °C were determined to analyze the low calcium response phenotype. The transcription levels of ΔYpCD1.08, ΔYpCD1.09, ΔYpCD1.16 in Yersinia pestis and the dependence to temperature were determined using real time RT-PCR after cultivation at 26 °C and 37 °C and extraction of RNA. A β-lactamases reporter system was adopted to study the influence of these genes on the translocation of effector YopE of T3SS.

RESULTSWhen grown in TMH medium without calcium at 26 °C and 37 °C, the growth curve of the YpCD1.08, YpCD1.09, YpCD1.16 mutants were similar to that of the wild-type strain, indicating that the low calcium response of all the mutants were normal. The ratios of YpCD1.08, YpCD1.09, YpCD1.16 gene transcriptional level at 37 °C and 26 °C were 2.3 ± 0.3, 2.3 ± 0.5 and 3.2 ± 0.7, respectively, indicating that these genes were transcribed in Yersinia pestis and their transcription regulations showed a temperature-dependence that was consistent with the well established temperature-dependent expression of Yersinia T3SS genes. The β-lactamases reporter assays demonstrated that ΔYpCD1.08 could translocate much higher level of YopE into HeLa cells, since that the light intensity ratio of 477/520 nm at 140 min was 2.5, whereas it was 1.8 for the wild-type strain, and the values in ΔYpCD1.09 and ΔYpCD1.16 were similar to the wild-type strain.

CONCLUSIONYpCD1.08, YpCD1.09, YpCD1.16 gene are likely to be the new members of T3SS, and the putative protein YpCD1.08 could play some roles in YopE secretion and translocation.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; secretion ; Bacterial Secretion Systems ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Plasmids ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; Yersinia pestis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity

In recent years, micro/nano-scaled separation technique has attracted increasing attention due to its inherent advantages. The porous layer open tubular ( PLOT) capillary column is an important microcolumn form. Comparied to wide-bore PLOT capillary columns ( inner diameter >25 μm ) , the PLOT capillary columns with a narrow inner diameter yield higher separation efficiency and lower reagent consumption. In this paper, the preparation methods for porous layer open tubular capillary columns with narrow inner diameter, less than or equal to 25 μm, are reviewed. Detection techniques combined with mass spectrometry and their applications in liquid chromatography are also disussed.

Objective To study the change of baseline clinical characteristics including prehospital delayed time(PDT),modes of transportation and treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)in the past 3 years.Methods We used the same questionnaire to accurately collect and retrospectively analyze the data regarding clinical characteristics of all 1004 patients with AMI,who consecutively presented to the Emergency Unit and Emergency Intensive Care Unit(EICU)of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 12th 2004 to March 11th 2007.According to the time of onset of the disease,all patients were divided into 3 groups:group A(from Mar.12th 2004 tO Mar.11th 2005),group B(Mar.12th 2005 to Mar 11th 2006)and group C(Mar.12th 2006 to Mar.11th 2007).Clinieal characteristics and treatment were compared.Results There were significant differences in the number of patients with histories of stroke,coronary artery disease or smoking among the three groups(P＜0.05).No obvious differences in the median of PDT were found among the three groups(P＞0.05).More patients accepted reperfusive therapy in group C compared to group A(P＜0.05),although the mortality rates of AMI among these 3 years were similar.Conclusion Though more people started to have accepted reperfusion therapy,mortality failed to show an obvious decrease.Subject as how tO shorten the PDT called for further study.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) gene in human umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells which was transfected with recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV-2).

METHODThe CD34+ cells were transfected with rAAV-2/hFIX and cultured for 21 days for inducing differentiation into myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytes, respectively. The expression of hFIX was studied at mRNA, protein and biological activity levels. The cytotoxicity of rAAV-2 to CD34+ cells was evaluated by cell proliferation, cell vitality, CD antigen expressions and CFU yields.

RESULTSThe hFIX mRNA was expressed in the cultured cells which was verified by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. An elevated level of hFIX expression and biological activities were detected with a maximum amount of 14.10 ng/10(6) cell x 24 h. During the period of 21 day culture, the cell vitality, cell proliferation, CD antigen expression and CFU yields between the transfected and un-transfected groups had no difference(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe human CB CD34+ cells are able to produce functional hFIX after transduction by rAAV-2/hFIX. The cell proliferation and differentiation capacities of the host CD34+ cells were not affected by rAAV-2.

Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Factor IX ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of flavonoids of puerarin (PR) on apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4 cells and its mechanism. The NB4 were treated with PR in vitro, the MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of PR on cell proliferation. The apoptosis of NB4 cells were detected by flow cytometry labelled with Annexin V/PI. The expressions of pml/rar alpha, bcl-2 and survivin were detected by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR), the expressions of JNK, p38 MAPK, FasL, caspase 3, caspase 8 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that with the increasing of PR concentrations, the apoptosis rates of NB4 cells were gradually elevated. Simultaneously, the mRNA expression of pml/rar alpha, bcl-2 and survivin decreased, while the protein expression of JNK, FasL, caspase 3 and caspase 8 increased, which presented the positive correlation to PR concentrations. When PR combined with arsenic trioxide (ATO), the expression levels of above mentioned mRNA and protein decreased or increased more significantly. It is concluded that PR can effectively induce the apoptosis of NB4 cells. PR combined with ATO displays synergistic effect. It may be triggered by the activation of JNK signal pathway.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; pathology